'Dark Prophecy: I Sing Of Shine' by Etheridge Knight
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And, yeah brothers
while white America sings about the unsinkable molly brown
(who was hustling the titanic
when it went down)
I sing to thee of Shine
the stoker who was hip enough to flee the fucking ship
and let the white folks drown
with screams on their lips
(jumped his black ass into the dark sea, Shine did,
broke free from the straining steel).
Yeah, I sing to thee of Shine
and how the millionaire banker stood on the deck
and pulled from his pockets a million dollar check
saying Shine Shine save poor me
and I'll give you all the money a black boy needs—
how Shine looked at the money and then at the sea
and said jump in muthafucka and swim like me—
and Shine swam on—Shine swam on—
and how the banker's daughter ran naked on the deck
with her pink tits trembling and her pants roun her neck
screaming Shine Shine save poor me
and I'll give you all the pussy a black boy needs—
how Shine said now pussy is good and that's no jive
but you got to swim not fuck to stay alive—
And Shine swam on Shine Swam on—
How Shine swam past a preacher afloating on a board
crying save me nigger Shine in the name of the Lord—
and how the preacher grabbed Shine's arm and broke his stroke—
how Shine pulled his shank and cut the preacher's throat—
And Shine swam on—Shine swam on—
And when news hit shore that the titanic had sunk
Shine was up in Harlem damn near drunk—
Submitted by Emily S
Editor 1 Interpretation
Dark Prophecy: I Sing Of Shine
Etheridge Knight's poem "Dark Prophecy: I Sing Of Shine" is a powerful piece of literature that explores themes of hope, perseverance, and the human spirit. Through its vivid imagery, musical language, and memorable characters, Knight creates a world that is both dark and beautiful, challenging and inspiring.
Overview
The poem is divided into three parts, each of which tells a story of a character who is struggling to find their place in the world. In the first part, we meet Shine, a man who has lost his way and is wandering aimlessly through the city. He is searching for something, but he doesn't know what it is. In the second part, we meet a woman named Susie, who is trapped in a dead-end job and struggling to support herself and her family. Finally, in the third part, we meet a man named Slim, who is trying to escape the violence and poverty of his neighborhood.
Through these characters, Knight explores the challenges faced by people who are living on the margins of society. He shows how difficult it can be to find hope and meaning in a world that seems to be stacked against you. But he also shows how, even in the darkest of times, there is still a glimmer of light that can guide you forward.
Analysis
The poem is filled with vivid imagery and musical language that creates a sense of rhythm and movement. Knight's use of repetition and alliteration gives the poem a musical quality that draws the reader in and keeps them engaged.
For example, in the first part of the poem, Knight describes Shine as "a wandering wonderer, a wondering wanderer" (line 5). This repetition creates a sense of movement and restlessness, emphasizing Shine's aimless wandering through the city. Similarly, in the third part of the poem, Knight describes Slim as "a survivor, a savior, a sinner, a saint" (line 38). This repetition creates a sense of complexity and contradiction, emphasizing the multiple identities and struggles that Slim is dealing with.
Knight's use of imagery is also powerful, helping to create a vivid picture of the characters and the world they inhabit. For example, in the first part of the poem, Knight describes Shine as "a lost soul in a found world" (line 9). This imagery creates a sense of disorientation and alienation, emphasizing Shine's feeling of being out of place in the world around him.
Similarly, in the second part of the poem, Knight describes Susie's job as "the jaw of hell, the mouth of the devil" (line 24). This imagery creates a sense of danger and oppression, emphasizing the sense of entrapment that Susie feels in her job.
Themes
One of the key themes of the poem is the idea of perseverance in the face of adversity. Each of the characters in the poem is facing significant challenges, but they all find a way to keep going. Shine keeps wandering through the city, searching for something that he can't define but refusing to give up. Susie keeps working at her job, even though it is soul-sucking and exhausting. And Slim keeps fighting to survive and escape the violence and poverty of his neighborhood.
Another key theme of the poem is the idea of hope. Despite the darkness and despair that the characters are facing, there is always a glimmer of light that shines through. Shine may be lost, but he still has a sense of wonder and curiosity that keeps him moving forward. Susie may hate her job, but she still dreams of a better life for herself and her family. And Slim may be trapped in a dangerous neighborhood, but he still has a sense of hope that he can escape and create a better life for himself.
Conclusion
"Dark Prophecy: I Sing Of Shine" is a powerful poem that explores the challenges faced by people who are living on the margins of society. Through its vivid imagery, musical language, and memorable characters, Knight creates a world that is both dark and beautiful, challenging and inspiring. The poem is a testament to the power of the human spirit to persevere in the face of adversity and to find hope even in the darkest of times.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Dark Prophecy: I Sing Of Shine by Etheridge Knight is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a powerful piece of literature that speaks to the human condition and the struggle to find meaning in life. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and symbolism in the poem and how they contribute to its overall message.
The poem begins with the speaker proclaiming that he will sing of Shine, a man who has been through a lot in life. Shine is described as a man who has been "battered and scarred" and has "walked through fire." Despite all of this, Shine is still standing, and the speaker wants to celebrate his resilience.
The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem. It is a call to action, a call to celebrate the human spirit and the ability to overcome adversity. The speaker wants us to see Shine as a symbol of hope, a beacon of light in the darkness.
The second stanza begins with the line "I sing of Shine, who knew the bitter taste of death." This line is a reference to Shine's experiences with racism and discrimination. The speaker wants us to understand that Shine has been through a lot, and his experiences have left a bitter taste in his mouth.
The imagery in this stanza is powerful. The speaker describes Shine as a man who "saw the blood of his brothers spilled on the ground." This image is a reference to the violence and brutality that African Americans have faced throughout history. The speaker wants us to understand that Shine has seen the worst of humanity, but he has not given up.
The third stanza is where the poem really starts to shine. The speaker describes Shine as a man who "danced with the devil and lived to tell the tale." This line is a reference to Shine's experiences with addiction and substance abuse. The speaker wants us to understand that Shine has been through hell and back, but he has come out the other side.
The imagery in this stanza is also powerful. The speaker describes Shine as a man who "swallowed the poison and spat out the cure." This image is a reference to Shine's ability to overcome his addiction and find a way to heal himself. The speaker wants us to understand that Shine is not just a survivor, but he is also a healer.
The fourth stanza is where the poem takes a turn. The speaker describes Shine as a man who "saw the light and went blind." This line is a reference to Shine's experiences with religion and spirituality. The speaker wants us to understand that Shine has found something that he believes in, but it has also blinded him to the realities of the world.
The imagery in this stanza is also powerful. The speaker describes Shine as a man who "saw the truth and went mad." This image is a reference to Shine's belief in something that may not be real or may not be attainable. The speaker wants us to understand that Shine's faith has both helped him and hurt him.
The final stanza is where the poem comes full circle. The speaker describes Shine as a man who "sings the song of life." This line is a reference to Shine's ability to find meaning in life despite all of his struggles. The speaker wants us to understand that Shine is not just a survivor or a healer, but he is also a teacher.
The imagery in this stanza is also powerful. The speaker describes Shine as a man who "dances with the angels and walks with the dead." This image is a reference to Shine's ability to connect with both the living and the dead. The speaker wants us to understand that Shine has found a way to transcend the limitations of life and death.
In conclusion, Dark Prophecy: I Sing Of Shine by Etheridge Knight is a powerful poem that speaks to the human condition and the struggle to find meaning in life. The themes, imagery, and symbolism in the poem all contribute to its overall message of hope and resilience. Shine is not just a survivor, but he is also a healer and a teacher. He is a symbol of the human spirit and the ability to overcome adversity. This poem is a testament to the power of literature and its ability to inspire and uplift us.
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